Volvo Ocean Race - Mason named shore manager for all-female crew

After having sailed four straight Volvo Ocean Races, Richard Mason is joining Team SCA as the shore manager of the all-female crew in a role which will finally allow him to stay dry - relatively - over the next two and a half years.

The larger-than-life Kiwi was most recently watch captain and boat captain on Team Sanya in 2011-12 but this is his first shore-based role.

Born in Australia and raised in New Zealand, Mason lives in Sweden with his family and will start working immediately with the team at their base in Lanzarote.

'I am extremely excited about joining Team SCA for the next Volvo,' he said. 'Heading up the shore team is going to present a fresh set of challenges for me. A fantastic opportunity to work with a great team of people across all the technologies that make up the Volvo Ocean 65.'

Team SCA recently started sailing their one-design boat and the team, supported by the global leading hygiene and forest products company SCA, are currently trialling four candidates to join the seven already confirmed crewmembers.

'SCA has taken on an enormous challenge to enter a less experienced all-female crew and we are very focused on ensuring that our crew benefit from working with a group of people who are highly motivated and have a depth of experience in this race,' commented managing director Richard Brisius.

'With Richard now onboard, as a management group, we have the experience of some 30 editions of this race, which we hope will serve us well in our preparation.'

Enthused both by the women challenge and the shore side of things, Mason is embracing his new mission.

'SCA is doing a pretty cool thing and it is great to be part of it. There is already a strong shore structure in place and I am looking forward to further developing this so that we can be as well prepared on shore as we are on the water.

'I have always had a huge respect for the shore teams that have supported us and kept us out on the water over the years. Now it is my opportunity to become a part of that team - and stay a bit drier!'

Richard Mason Age: 39
Nationality: New Zealand/British
Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
Family status: Married with two Volvo Ocean Race

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